Volunteer StaffThe special people who make it all possible

Bookstore/Office VolunteersBookstore volunteers help by answering the phone, taking messages, answering questions, and guiding visitors around Gorman Nature Center to explain the educational animals, grounds, and building. Additional tasks can include feeding/watering animals and assisting staff with programs, but these will not be the primary responsibility of the volunteer.

There are no necessary qualifications for this position other than the ability to converse with the public and a love of learning. There will be a day of training at the beginning of volunteering that will include a tour of the building and explanations of how to complete responsibilities. After the first day of there will almost always be a staff member present to answer any questions a volunteer may have.

Bookstore volunteers will be scheduled at the beginning of the month by the Director of Volunteer Resources for all the days they want to volunteer during that month. Volunteers are needed primarily on weekdays but can also be useful on weekends for keeping the building open to greet visitors who cannot come during the week. Daily shifts are scheduled from 9am-12pm or 12pm-3pm. Volunteers will report to the Director of Volunteer Resources for training and scheduling. Contact the Nature Center with questions.

Docent VolunteersDocent volunteers could be retired teachers or others that are just interested in helping teach children about nature by assisting with or leading educational programs here at Gorman Nature Center.

Qualifications for this position include: knowledge of GNC educational animals, general knowledge of other nature programs they wish to lead, and ability to interpret and translate difficult concepts for general public including young children. There will be a training period during which the volunteer will shadow a staff member during programs until the individual is confident enough to take over. Even after this period there will always be a staff member around to answer any question the volunteer might have.

Docent volunteers will be notified of upcoming school groups and programs at the beginning of the month by the Director of Volunteer Resources. This will give the Docent an opportunity to choose which events they would like to attend for the month. Volunteers will report to the Director of Volunteer Resources for training and scheduling. Contact the Nature Center with questions.

GNC Maintenance VolunteersMaintenance volunteers work mostly outdoors doing mowing, trimming, removing invasive plants, trail maintenance, litter pick-up, handing out trail maps, and interacting with the public. GNC needs maintenance volunteers the most during fall, summer, and late spring. They can also volunteer on group invasive removal days with Director of Natural Resources, Kyle Bailey, which could involve the use of hand clippers, pruners, hand saws, chain saws, chipper/shredder, herbicides, etc.

There are no qualifications to become a Maintenance volunteer. However, these volunteers are required to provide their own health insurance as the park district does not offer liability insurance for volunteer accidents. There will be a training period during which the volunteer will shadow a staff member until the individual is confident enough to take over. Even after this period there will almost always be a staff member around to answer any question the volunteer might have.

Maintenance volunteers will generally notify the Director of Natural Resources of the days they wish to volunteer at the beginning of the month. Volunteers will report to the Director of Natural Resources for training and scheduling. Contact the Nature Center with questions.

There are no qualifications to become a Maintenance volunteer. However, these volunteers are required to provide their own health insurance as the Richland County Park District does not offer liability insurance for volunteer accidents. There will be a training period during which the volunteer will shadow a staff member or other volunteers until the individual is confident enough to take over.

Maintenance volunteers will generally notify the Director of Natural Resources of the days they wish to volunteer at the beginning of the month. Volunteers will report to the Director of Natural Resources for training and scheduling. Contact the Gorman Nature Center with questions.